'Army officers facing action for service weapons sale in mkt'

Government today said that disciplinary action has been initiated against 41 Army officers for selling their non-service pattern (NSP) weapons in the gray market.

Government today said that disciplinary action has been initiated against 41 Army officers for selling their non-service pattern (NSP) weapons in the gray market.

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"Disciplinary action has been initiated against 41 Army officers, one Junior Commissioned Officer and four retired officers for selling NSP weapons in violation of extant provisions along with notices for depositing their weapons back," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha query.

He added that 25 officers have been censured for possessing more rounds than authorised for their NSP weapons.

Antony said a Court of Inquiry was held to look into circumstances under which some officers had sold or purchased firearms.

He added that District Collector of Sriganganagar in Rajasthan had submitted a list of officers, including two major generals and two brigadiers, who sold their NSP weapons but they were not found blameworthy by the CoI.